As readers of our Massachusetts family blog may be aware, divorce can be one of the most stressful experiences of a person’s life. Emotions can run high as couples face decisions regarding the division of their marital property and debts, which they may have spent a lifetime accumulating. A divorce may also face additional complications if there are children involved, as decisions must be made regarding child custody and visitation, as well as child support.
Even in an uncontested divorce, the decisions made can often have a life-long impact. Many people think hiring a lawyer is too costly and chose to represent themselves. However, this can often back fire, as the complexities of the court and legal system may result in mistakes that sets a case back for months or years. Divorce involves complex financial and other decisions that can affect you for the rest of your life. A Worcester divorce lawyer can guide you through the divorce process and advise you on the decisions that are best for your family.
If there are children of the marriage, their future often depends on the decisions made in the divorce. The property settlement agreement and divorce decree will specify where the children will live, and the custody arrangement. It will also specify parental visitation rights and whether the noncustodial parent will be required to pay child support.
In many cases, parents are unable to reach an agreement as to the custody arrangement for their children. In that case, the court system will be called in to make a decision as to what is in the child’s best interests. Because of the impact a custody decision will have on your family, it’s important to have experienced legal counsel as your advocate.
Source: The Washington Times, “Do you need a lawyer to get divorced? Yes, and don’t stop there,” Myra Fleischer, Feb. 5, 2013